Friday, December 16, 2011

Vanilla Meringue Mushrooms

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These Vanilla Meringue Mushrooms are super adorable and look just like the real thing.  They are crunchy and sweet, the total opposite of the real mushrooms.  The only thing they have in common are their appearance and weight.  These Meringue Mushrooms are light and airy.  They are really easy to make and only needs a few ingredients.  Let’s take a look at how to make them, shall we?

After beating the meringue, use a 1/2-inch plain round tip to pipe the “stems” first.  Have the tip around half an inch above the baking sheet and lift the piping bag upward while gently adding pressure on the pastry bag to release the meringue.  When it reach the height you desired, stop the pressure and continue lifting the pastry bag.  If some of them tilted to the side, don’t worry, that will make them look more natural.  

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Then, pipe the mushroom “caps”.  Have the piping tip around 1/4-inch above the baking sheet and gently add pressure on the pastry bag to release meringue until it’s the size/diameter you want.  I pipe my caps at around 1 to 1 1/2-inch in diameter.  When it reached the size you want, stop the pressure and turn the pastry tip around the piped cap.  If the meringue leaves a pointy tip, gently pad on the tip with a damp finger to achieve a smooth surface.

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Bake at 200 degree F for 2 hours and they’re done.  After they are cooled, cut the tips off the stems so you get a flat surface. 

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Melt the chocolate chips and spread a thin layer on the flat side of the cap.

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Place the cut side of the step onto the melted chocolate and let the chocolate set.

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You can leave them as is for white button mushrooms.

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Or, dust them with cocoa powder and brush the excess off with a pastry brush for a more rustic and natural look.

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When I was taking picture of these meringue mushrooms, my Baby Girl heard the click click click sounds from the camera and she knows Mommy is taking pictures of some yummy treats.  Open-mouthed smile  She just reach over the bowl, grabbed a mushroom, gave me the sweetest smile and started munching.  She finished it in no time and had another. 

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Now, you have these cute little Meringue mushrooms to munch on or save a few for decorations. I will show you what I did with them on my next post. So, stay tuned. Smile

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Vanilla Meringue Mushrooms (Printable Recipe)



2 large egg whites, at room temperature
a pinch of kosher salt
1/2 cup caster (superfine baker's) sugar
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips (act as “glue” for the stems)
1 tablespoon cocoa powder (for dusting)

Preheat the oven 200 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a bowl of the stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites, cream of tarar, and salt until frothy, about 2 minute. With the machine on medium-high speed, gradually add the sugar, about 1 tablespoon at a time. Then, add the vanilla extract.  Increase the speed to high and beat until the mixture is thick, shiny and holds stiff peaks, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Transfer the meringue into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch round plain tip. Pipe the “stems” first as the meringue still holds up well.  Have the pastry tip around half an inch above the baking sheet and lift the piping bag upward while gently adding pressure on the pastry bag to release the meringue. When it reach the height you desired, stop the pressure and continue lifting the pastry bag. If some of them tilted to the side, don’t worry, that will make them look more natural.

Then, pipe the mushroom “caps”. Have the piping tip around 1/4-inch above the baking sheet and gently add pressure on the pastry bag to release meringue until it’s the size/diameter you want. I pipe my caps at around 1 to 1 1/2-inch in diameter. When it reached the size you want, stop the pressure and turn the pastry tip around the piped cap. If the meringue leaves a pointy tip, gently pad on the tip with a damp finger to achieve a smooth surface.

Bake for 2 hours and let cool on a wiring rack.  In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chip on high.  Stir every 30 second intervals until melted.  Let melted chocolate cool slightly. 

Cut the tips off the stems so you get a flat surface.  Spread a thin layer of melted chocolate on the flat side of the cap.  Place the cut side of the step onto the melted chocolate and let the chocolate set. Dust them with cocoa powder and brush the excess off with a pastry brush for a more rustic and natural look.

This recipe is Shared with:

Foodie Friday
Sweets For Saturday
Sweet Tooth Friday
Strut Your Stuff Saturday

17 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness! They look so real! How adorable!

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  2. @Betsy: Thanks. They are quite yummy too. I'm glad you like them.

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  3. You make it sound easy and look so good

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  4. @Loveforfood: In fact, they are. :) Very easy to make and fun to eat.

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  5. Copie conforme !! ils sont superbes et à croquer
    Je te souhaite un excellente Week-end
    Valérie.

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  6. Very cute! I can certainly think of some great uses for these - especially at Christmas! Thanks for the great tutorial, Amy.

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  7. Very creative! I am "stealing" this recipe! ;)

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  8. @Valérie: Merci, Valérie. Je suis content que vous aimez la recette. Je vous souhaite un bon weekend aussi. :)

    @ Smokydeals: Thank you

    @Savoring Time in the Kitchen: Oh yeah. They are awesome for cake decorating. You're very welcome, as always.

    @ Alice: Have fun baking. I always love sharing. :)

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  9. Wow, you're just so creative. This is super cool. Love the idea.
    Hope you're having a wonderful week.
    Cheers,
    Kristy

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  10. @Kristy: Thank you. These are so much fun to munch on. Thank you and wish you a wonderful weekend.

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  11. That is fantastic. I want to make some mushrooms now!

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  12. @Quay Po Cooks: Thanks. :) Happy Holidays to you.

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  13. These are wonderful, I hope I have time this week to make these, what fun.

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  14. @Sue: Thanks. Let me know how they turn out after you've tied them. :) Happy Holidays to you and your family.

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  15. Those are totally adorable Amy. I love how you added the brown details to make them look realistic. Saw the cake you put them on. Great presentation!

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  16. @ Cozy Home Scenes: Thank you so much. I'm glad you like my creations. :) I love your creativity on your family crafts! Happy Holidays to you.

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